Mineral County sees increase in whooping cough cases

MINERAL COUNTY - There has been an increase in the number of whooping cough cases, also known as pertussis, in Mineral County.  According to Mineral County Health Department, thus far in the past weeks three cases of whooping cough have been reported. 

Whooping cough can be a very serious disease, particularly for infants less than one year of age. Whooping cough is spread by direct contact with respiratory, oral or nasal secretions from a symptomatic patient, direct face to face contact with a symptomatic case patient or by sharing confined space in close proximity for a prolonged period of time with a symptomatic case patient. 

The illness starts with symptoms similar to a common cold. Children suffering from whooping cough often develop coughing fits, especially at night, giving a high-pitched “whoop” sound. The “whoop” is a sign that the person is struggling to breathe between coughs. The disease can be very severe and, although deaths are rare, they do occur, especially in infants less than one year of age.  Adults and children 7 years and older usually develop a much milder form of pertussis.  

Anyone who is suspected of having whooping cough or who is exposed to a person with the disease should be seen by their physician for evaluation.  It is especially important that parents monitor their children for cough like illness and ideally withhold them from school until it has been determined that they do not have whooping cough. 

Making sure that children receive all their shots on time is the best way to control this disease in the future. Children should receive four doses of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and Pertussis) vaccine by 15 months of age and an additional dose of DTaP before they start school.  In addition a booster is required before entry into the seventh grade.  It is also recommended that all adults get an updated Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis). 

Parents are urged to check their children’s shot records to be sure they have received all their shots. If they are not sure their children are completely immunized, parents should contact their family doctor or the Health Department. 

For more information call the Mineral County Health Department at 822-3564.